CareersMeet our peopleInka Nurmisto, Editor, entertainment and celebrity news

Inka Nurmisto, Editor, entertainment and celebrity news

Iltalehti

A good nose for news, contacts and genuine passion are key

—Unpredictability is absolutely one of the best aspects of this job. When I leave home in the morning, I usually have no idea what will happen during the day, says Inka Nurmisto, Editor for entertainment and celebrity news at Iltalehti.

Originally from Turku, Inka moved after work to Helsinki about four years ago. Having completed a newspaper writer course at the Diaconia University of Applied Sciences in Turku, Inka started as entertainment writer for Iltalehti, at first assisting entertainment stories from Turku.

—In late autumn 2006 I was doing my last long job training period in the city paper Turkulainen, when a colleague gave me a hint that Iltalehti was recruiting. I hesitated to apply: I was fairly unexperienced and had yet to finish my diploma work to finish school. When the application deadline started to approach, I decided to pluck up my courage, and after a few days I was asked to come to an interview. Next year I moved to Helsinki, and here I still am, Inka recaps the first steps of her career at Iltalehti.

The career choice was easy for Inka, 27. It was clear to her already when doing her matriculation exam what she wanted to study.
—Ever since I was a child I have wanted to write, and I’ve never really had any other dream profession.

Inka thinks that the most important things in the work of an entertainment writer are a good nose for news, personal contacts and a genuine interest in topics and people. She says the working atmosphere at Iltalehti is good.
—It’s great to be part of an efficient and energetic news machine called Iltalehti. We have a brisk pace and a good team spirit in our department. Responsibilities and tasks are evenly divided between us writers.

Inka says she gets some hints from readers through email. Mainly, however, the stories come through her own contacts, which is why confidential relations in many directions are of utmost importance.
—These contacts are often the result of a long, persistent effort. Establishing the contacts is a never-ending growth opportunity. Many news items also pop up from the ideas at the morning meetings and by following topical issues.

Inka encourages everyone interested in a writer’s career to believe in their talent and seize new opportunities. She feels she has succeeded when she has managed to dig up news or start a new discussion topic.
—I do my best to always work at 100-per cent capacity. Tight situations often emerge in field work. The newsworthy event may pass quickly, so you need to act immediately and without hesitation.